3.21.2013

The Tutor's Daughter ~ Historical Fiction at its finest!

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father
when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a
baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the
two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing
the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins
sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?

The baronet’s older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston,
wrestle with problems—and secrets—of their own. They both remember the studious
Miss Smallwood from their days at her father’s academy. But now one of them
finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her . . .

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which
brother to blame and which to trust with her heart?

Filled with page-turning suspense, The Tutor’s Daughter takes readers to the windswept Cornwall
coast—a place infamous for shipwrecks and superstitions—where danger lurks,
faith is tested, and romance awaits.

I worked in publishing for sixteen years (first in
advertising, then as a fiction editor) and now write full time. Three of my
books, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent
Governess have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Maid of
Fairbourne Hall and The Girl in the Gatehouse also won a Midwest Book Award and
The Silent Governess was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA
awards.

I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy
travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with
friends. My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

My thoughts:

Do you enjoy the English classics by Jane Austen or
better yet the Bronte sisters? If so you are going to be delighted by The Tutor’s Daughter. Julie Klassen’s writing style is evocative of
that classic form. I love to read works by Austen and the Bronte’s but one of
the drawbacks is the old English style of language of the time frame and the
multiple characters with similar names. Julie’s works are written in modern
language and her characters are easily identifiable from the others.

The storyline is filled with twists and turns that add
depth and dimension to the plot. The characters have a quality of realness that
draws you deeper into the mystery. Up until the very last page you are led on a
merry chase to find out exactly who is behind all of the sinister acts that
keep happening.

For a modern quality of historical fiction, pick up a
copy of The Tutor’s Daughter. In fact any book you see with Julie Klassen’s
name on it is worthy of purchasing and savoring.

Disclosure: The opinions expressed in this
review are those of @FitzysMom from Rambles of a SAHM. A book was provided free
of cost in order to facilitate this review. This post contains affiliate links.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my
blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and
believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the
Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of
Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"